Blanket-roll support for soldiers



(No Model.)

0. DODGE, Jr. BLANKET ROLL SUPPORT FOR SOLDIERS.

No. 486,370 Patented Nov. .15, 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES DODGE, J R, OF FORT BAYARD, TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO.

BLANKET-ROLL SUPPORT FOR SOLDIERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 486,370, dated November15, 1892.

' Application filed June 20, 1892- Serial No. 437,423. (No mcdel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES DODGE, J r., first lieutenant, TwentyfourthInfantry, United States Army,stationed at Fort Bayard, in the county ofGrant and Territory of New Mexico, have invented a certain new andImproved Blanket-Roll Support, of which the following is aspecification.

- The object of my invention is to provide a substitute for the knapsackor pack of any kind which can be conveniently worn by the foot-soldierand by means of which he can carry with the least discomfort in marchingthe blanket-roll and all other articles of luggage required for fieldservice which are ordinari] y transported in the knapsack; and myinvention consists in a yoke, preferably of elliptical form, which maybe worn diagonally across the body from the left shoulder to right hipand to which all the foot-soldiers equipment may be readily attached bystrapping or in a similar or equivalent manner. The pack when made up issecured in place by suitable straps or bands, the ends resting at ornear the hip.

My invention further consists in the general construction of a devicehaving the abovementioned objects in view, as will be hereinafterpointed out in the claims, being first fully described with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective View ofthe support complete, but with the roll removed; and Fig. 2 is a similarview illustrating the manner of using the device.

A represents the yoke or frame of my improved blanket-roll support,which is constructed, preferably, of a piece of wood bent to oval shape,the same being, when shaped, of suflicient length to reach from oneshoulder diagonally across the body and slightly below the opposite hipand of width or diameter sufficent to avoid contact with either thechest or the back of the wearer.

The wooden strip forming the yoke is preferably made to taper slightlyin width and thickness from the middle to each end. This yoke isprovided with roll-straps B, attached in any suitable manner to theframe and adapted to be buckled over and hold the blanket-roll aroundthe outside.

0 is a shoulder-strap, which is attached at c to the yoke and which ismade adjustable at one end, so that it may suspend the blanketsupportslightly above the shoulder over which it is passed.

D represents a steadying-strap, which is adapted to the lower end of theyoke and is provided with ahook D, which may enter the cartridge-belt orother article on the body of the wearer.

E represents lacing-strings, which are designed for the purpose ofholding the lower ends of the frame together, and F a spacingbar forholding them apart, the effect of the strings and bar being to hold theends of the yoke rigidly and to permit them to be adjusted withincertain limits for the purpose of adapting the yoke to the person.

G represents a pair of studs about midway between the top and bottom ofthe frame, and

'to these ends are attached straps 'I for supporting the canteen orhaversack, or both, as may be desired. These straps may be slotted topass over the studs G or they may be fixed in place by said studs, andthey extend down to near the lower end of the support, being embraced bythe straps B, which hold them in the yoke.

H represents a supplemental shoulder strap or band, which is alsosecured on the studs G by means of perforations h, and this strap orband passes over the shoulder opposite to that which supports the rolland around the body beneath the other arm. It may be adjusted relativelyto the yoke in order to support more or less of the weight of the pack,as may be necessary for the comfort of the wearer. This strap alsoassists in preventing displacement of the pack when in use.

In using my improved blanket-roll support the blanket is spread and allthe articles which are usually placed in the knapsack, including extraammunition, if desired, are arranged along one edge of the blanket,after which it is rolled, so as to embrace them, the roll being made assmall in diameter as practicable. around the outside of the yoke and thestraps B buckled around it to hold it in place. The two ends of the rollterminate near the ends of the yoke, and around them are tied the Theroll, being thus formed, is laid lacing-strings E for the purpose ofpreventing the escape of any of the loose articles contained within theroll. If extra ammunition is carried in the roll, it may be carried nearthe ends and confined by the lacing-strings in such a manner that whenit is desired for use the strings may be loosened, when the ammunitionwill be delivered into the hand.

The blanket-roll constructed as above described affords a convenientmeans for carrying the blanket and all the articles usually carried inthe knapsack. It is supported upon the body in a manner which causes theleast possible discomfort to the wearer, avoiding the pressure of strapsbeneath the arms and the weight on the chest or small of the back, andhas many other advantages over the knapsack and other old modes ofcarrying the necessary equipments of the foot-soldier, besides beingreadily put on and taken off.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as newtherein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The herein-described blanketroll support, consisting of a yoke formedto surround the body, substantially as shown, and having straps forattaching the blanket-roll, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. The herein-described blanket-roll support, which consists of theyokebent or formed to surround the body and adapted to rest upon oneshoulder and the opposite hip, the rollattaching straps located atintervals along the yoke, and the bracing-strap H, also attached to theframe and adjusted to pass over one shoulder and beneath the oppositearm, substantially in the manner shown and described.

3. The herein-described blanket-roll support, consisting of the flexibleyoke bent or formed to surround the body and to be supported upon oneshoulder and one hip, substantially as described, and having straps forattaching the roll, and the spacing connection at the lower ends of theyoke, substantially as herein described.

4. The combination of the yoke bent or formed to surround the bodydiagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip, the straps on theframe for embracing and holding the blanket-roll, and thesteadying-strap 1), connected with the frame near the lower end andadapted for engagement with the belt or other object on the body of thewearer, as and for the purpose explained.

5. The blanket-roll support consistingof the combination of the yokebent or formed to surround the body and adapted for suspension from theshoulder or shoulders and having straps for embracing and holding theblanketroll, the straps for suspending and embracing the yoke onthebody, and the straps I, attached to the frame and adapted to suspendthe haversack or cauteen,substantially in the manner explained.

CHAS. DODGE, JR.

Witnesses:

JOHN LAPHAM AULLIs, CHARLES J UDSON CRANE.

